Combined ball marker and divot repairing tool

ABSTRACT

A combination of a ball marker and divot repairing tool in a single, unitary device. The combination includes a ball marker with a body having a substantially circular perimeter in the tradition of a ball marker and a divot repairing tool that has a prod (e.g., fork). The prod is mounted for movement relative to the body of the ball marker between a retracted position within the circular perimeter of the body and a protruding position extending outwardly of the perimeter of the body. In one embodiment, the fork of the divot repairing tool is mounted to slide between the retracted and protruding positions. In a second embodiment, it is mounted to pivot between the retracted and protruding positions.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 415,033 filed Oct. 1, 2002, which is incorporatedherein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to the field of accessories for golfing and moreparticularly to the field of multiple use tools having ball markers anddivot repairing tools.

2. Discussion of the Background

Numerous golfing accessories are available that have structure to serveas ball markers and divot repairing tools. However, all known ones havea main body from which the fork or other working portion of the divotrepairing tool pivots or slides outwardly and to which the ball markeris removably attached (e.g., magnetically). Applicant is not aware ofany ball marker that has a body from which a fork or other workingportion of a divot repair tool pivots or slides outwardly wherein thetwo functions can be performed by the same device.

With this in mind, the present invention was developed. In it, acombination is provided of a ball marker and divot repairing tool in asingle, unitary device.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention involves a combination of a ball marker and divotrepairing tool in a single, unitary device. The combination includes aball marker with a body having a substantially circular perimeter in thetradition of a ball marker and a divot repairing tool that has a prod(e.g., fork). The prod is mounted for movement relative to the body ofthe ball marker between a retracted position within the circularperimeter of the body and a protruding position extending outwardly ofthe perimeter of the body.

In one embodiment, the fork of the divot repairing tool is mounted toslide between the retracted and protruding positions. In a secondembodiment, it is mounted to pivot between the retracted and protrudingpositions. The combination of each embodiment is then usable both as aball marker (with the prod in the retracted position) and as a divotrepairing tool (with the prod in its protruding position). Because theball marker and divot repairing tool are in a single, unitary device,both functions can then be performed by the same device without the needfor the golfer to carry two, separate pieces.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the invention in whichthe body of the ball marker is substantially circular and the forkedprod of the divot repairing tool is shown in its retracted position.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 1 but showing the forkedprod of the divot repairing tool in its protruding position.

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the embodiment of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the invention inwhich the forked prod of the divot repairing tool is mounted to pivotrelative to the body of the ball marker and is shown in its retractedposition.

FIG. 6 shows the embodiment of FIG. 5 with the forked prod in itsprotruding position.

FIG. 7 is a view taken along line 7-7 of FIG. 5 illustrating the lockingmechanism of this embodiment to secure the forked prod in its retractedposition.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As shown in the embodiment of FIG. 1-4, the combination of presentinvention includes a ball marker with a body 1 having upper and lower,circular side pieces 3 as best seen in FIG. 3 spaced from one another toreceive the forked prod 2 of the divot repairing tool therebetween. Asillustrated, the forked prod 2 is mounted for sliding movement relativeto the body 1 of the ball marker between a retracted position (FIG. 1)and a protruding position (FIG. 2). In the retracted position of FIG. 1,the forked prod 2 of the divot repairing tool is within the perimeter Pof the body 1 of the ball marker and the combination can be used as aball marker. In the protruding position of FIG. 2 in which the forkedprod 2 extends outwardly of the perimeter P of the body 1 of the ballmarker, the combination can be used as a divot repairing tool.

To slidably move the forked prod 2 longitudinally along the axis 5between the retracted and protruding positions of FIGS. 1 and 2, anupstanding member 4 (see also FIG. 3) on the forked prod 2 is provided.The member 4 as shown is restrained within the elongated slot 7 (seeFIGS. 1 and 2) in the upper side piece 3 of the body 1 of the ballmarker. In this manner, the manual throw of the forked prod 2 is limitedbetween the positions of FIGS. 1 and 2. With the combination of thepresent invention, the ball marker and divot repairing functions canthen be performed all by the same, unitary device without the golferhaving to carry and keep track of separate pieces.

For integrity and to help maintain the alignment of the forked prod 2 asit is moved along the axis 5, the lower side piece 3 (see FIG. 3)preferably has an upstanding member 9 receivable in the elongated slot 6of the forked prod 2. Additionally, the embodiment of FIGS. 1-4 includesa locking mechanism to selectively secure the forked prod 2 in itsretracted and protruding positions. The locking mechanism includes aspring-biased member 8 (see FIGS. 1 and 2) with a detent 10 selectivelyreceivable in the notches 12 on the side of the forked prod 2 (see alsoFIG. 3). The member 8 as shown is mounted adjacent one of the spacermembers 14. This spacer member 14 as illustrated has an indent 16 topermit the detent 10 to move between positions engaging and disengagingthe notches 12 as the forked prod 2 is slid thereby.

The body 1 of the ball marker in the embodiment of FIGS. 1-4 preferablyhas substantially circular, flat side pieces 3 suitable for graphics oradvertising. The circular side pieces 3 in this regard could be abouthalf an inch to an inch and a half in diameter (and more preferablyabout an inch) in keeping with the traditional size and shape of mostball markers. Similarly, the prod 2 as illustrated is forked with atleast two tines in the tradition of a divot repairing tool but could bea single tine if desired.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 5-7, the body 1′ of the ball marker has asingle, substantially circular and flat side piece 3′ and the forkedprod 2′ is mounted for pivotal movement about the axis 5′ relativethereto. In the retracted position of FIG. 5, the forked prod 2′ isagain within the perimeter P of the body 1′ of the ball marker.Similarly, in the protruding position of FIG. 6, the forked prod 2′extends outwardly of the perimeter of the body 1′. Additionally, in thisembodiment, a locking mechanism is provided to aid in securing theforked prod 2′ in the retracted position of FIG. 5. In doing so, aprotuberance 11 is provided that extends outwardly of the side piece 3′of the body 1′ (see FIG. 7). The protuberance 11 as best seen in FIG. 6is located at the free end of a cantilevered arm 13 which is partiallycut from or otherwise supported on the side piece 3′. In use, theprotuberance 11 on the end of the resilient arm 13 will be abutted anddepressed downwardly out of the way as the outer tines 18 and base 20 ofthe forked prod 2′ are pivoted over the side piece 3′. Consequently andin going between the positions of FIGS. 6 and 5, the depressedprotuberance 11 (shown in dotted lines in FIG. 7) will spring back upunder the force of the resilient arm 13 (shown in solid lines in FIG. 7)to be received between the middle tines 18 (see also FIG. 5). Theprotuberance 11 will thereby aid in securing the forked prod 2′ in theretracted position of FIG. 5.

While several embodiments of the present invention have been shown anddescribed in detail, it to be understood that various changes andmodifications could be made without departing from the scope of theinvention.

1. A combination ball marker and divot repairing tool, said combinationincluding: a ball marker with a substantially disc-shaped body having asubstantially circular perimeter and a divot repairing tool, said divotrepairing tool having a prod mounted to said body of said ball markerfor movement relative thereto between a retracted position substantiallywithin the perimeter of said body and a protruding position extendingoutwardly of the perimeter of said body, said combination being usableas a ball marker with said prod in said retracted position and as adivot repairing tool with said prod in said protruding position. 2.(cancelled)
 3. The combination of claim 2 wherein said body has asubstantially circular, second side piece spaced from said first sidepiece wherein said prod of said divot repairing tool is receivablebetween said two sides pieces in said retracted position.
 4. Thecombination of claim 3 wherein said prod is mounted for sliding movementalong an axis relative to the body of said ball marker.
 5. Thecombination of claim 1 wherein said circular perimeter has a diameter ofabout an inch.
 6. The combination of claim 1 further including a lockingmechanism to secure said prod in at least one of said retracted andprotruding positions.
 7. The combination of claim 6 wherein said prod ismounted for sliding movement along an axis relative to the body of saidball marker and said prod has a side, said locking mechanism includingat least one notch in the side of said prod and a detent selectivelyreceivable in said notch with said prod in one of said retracted andprotruding positions.
 8. The combination of claim 7 wherein the body ofsaid ball marker has two side pieces and at least one spacer membertherebetween wherein said spacer member has an indent to permit saiddetent to move between positions engaging and disengaging said onenotch.
 9. The combination of claim 6 wherein said prod is mounted forsliding movement along an axis relative to the body of said ball markerand said prod has a side, said locking mechanism including at least twonotches in the side of said prod and a detent selectively receivable insaid notches to selectively secure said prod in said retracted andprotruding positions.
 10. The combination of claim 6 wherein said prodis mounted for pivotal movement about an axis relative to the body ofsaid ball marker, said prod including at least two, spaced-apart tinesand said locking mechanism including a protuberance extending outwardlyof said body and receivable between said spaced-apart tines to securesaid prod in said retracted position.
 11. The combination of claim 10wherein said protuberance is mounted on a cantilevered arm supported onthe body.
 12. The combination of claim 1 wherein said prod is mountedfor sliding movement along an axis relative to the body of said ballmarker.
 13. The combination of claim 1 wherein said prod is mounted forpivotal movement about an axis relative to the body of said ball marker.14. (cancelled)
 15. The combination of claim 1 wherein said prod is afork with at least two tines.
 16. The combination of claim 15 wherein afirst of said at least two tines is longer than a second of said tines.17. The combination of claim 15 wherein said prod has at least threetines.
 18. The combination of claim 17 wherein two of said three tinesare substantially the same length and the third tine is longer than saidtwo tines.
 19. The combination of claim 1 wherein said prod has asubstantially circular perimeter.
 20. The combination of claim 19wherein the perimeters of the disc-shaped body of said ball marker andsaid prod are substantially the same size.
 21. The combination of claim1 wherein the perimeters of the disc-shaped body of said ball marker andsaid prod are substantially the same size.
 22. The combination of claim1 wherein said combination is a two-piece combination consisting of saidball marker and said prod.